Location  |  room 003 in the Quigley Hall basement (campus building 0042)

 

Hours  |  please see the hours page

 

Mission | The Digital Fabrication Lab [df_Lab] Operates as an entity to support R&D, teaching and service activities.  The dfl houses seven pieces of equipment used in the digital fabrication process:  two laser cutters, four 3d printers, and a cnc (computer numerical control) machine.

 

Background | The Digital Fabrication Lab at Southern Illinois University was created by Associate Professor Shai Yeshayahu in 2006 through a grant from the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and local entrepreneur. These funding and donation helped in creating a platform for testing design strategies for research that also provides support through consultation with df_Lab personal, our in house digital database, and other affiliated entities. Recently the Lab has acquired a new Shopbot and a Laser cutter through the Technology Fee of our program and two 3d printers through a grant that Professor Yeshayahu received.

 

Role | While digital technologies have improved the flow of digital information from designer to fabricator, the df_Lab operation, in the context of SIUC and its region, engages both student and researcher who seek to understand and improve the flow of information from fabrication process back to the initial design decision-making. Special emphasize of the lab operation is placed on the importance of how digital information can seamlessly inform the decision making process of design and fabrication.

 

Objectives | The df_Lab acts as a catalyst for applied interdisciplinary research and immersive learning opportunities in the area of digital fabrication. It serves as a conduit between students, design professionals, and the professional community. The df_Lab supports curricular components related to real time experimentation with digitally enhanced material and tool investigations, which aid in the rigorous examination of the logic behind design and making. Combining these theoretical experiences with applied sciences towards the development of research knowledge and products not only enhances the educational experience, but also provides a link to real-world applications.